Australia Michelin Awards: Magill Estate Restaurant nets two stars in eating guide’s rankings Down Under
Australia’s first localised edition of the renowned international guide to gastronomy launched in South Australia tonight after 12 months of covert restaurant inspections. SEE THE FULL LIST OF WINNERS.
Eleven elite eateries have been singled out in the launch of Michelin Guide to South Australia tonight, as they became the first restaurants in the nation to receive the international culinary standard’s coveted stars.
Michelin Guide South Australia was launched at the Adelaide Convention Centre on Wednesday, with 10 SA hotspots receiving one Michelin-star ratings.
However, Macgill Estate Restaurant rose above as the single South Australian eatery to score a two-star rating, joining just 549 other locations across the world to do so.
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“We looked at opening restaurants in France to achieve a Michelin star — that’s how crazy it can be,” he told ABC News.
“It’s come to South Australia, so extremely lucky and honoured to be the first restaurant in Australia to achieve two stars.
“It’s like buying a lottery ticket — just not knowing until the number’s been read out how it’s going to land.”
Single-star winners included Adelaide Hills newcomer Aptos, which opened in May 2026, Esmay located in the capital’s Hackney Hotel and Arkhe.
Another 16 restaurants were recognised with the guide’s Bib Gourmands and another 50 were Michelin Selected.
STAR WINNERS LIST
Two Michelin stars
Magill Estate Restaurant, Rosslyn Park
One Michelin star
Anvers Restaurant, Kangarilla
Maxwell Restaurant, McLaren Vale
Botanic, Adelaide
Arkhe, Norwood
Esmay, Hackney
Aurora at ILA, Adelaide
Hentley Farm, Seppeltsfield
LVN Restaurant at Bird in Hand, Woodside
Aptos, Stirling
Skillogalee Barrel House, Sevenhill
Wednesday night’s launch of the state-specific 2027 guide finally ends a nervous wait for venues after covert inspections across the state.
“This is a historic occasion for our state and our country, as we become home to the first and only Michelin restaurants in Australia,” SA Tourism Minister Emily Bourke said before the awards were handed out on Wednesday.
The Michelin Guide has been considered the fine-dining benchmark for more than a century; however, it only expanded into the Americas and Asia in the early 2000s.
It had looked at launching a guide Down Under back in 2016 but talks with Tourism Australia fell through.
It only marked its first foray into Australia after the SA government broke out on its own to foot the bill.
The Malinauskas government has not revealed the cost, saying it was confidential for commercial reasons.
But it is reportedly similar to the $NZ8 million ($6.45 million) the New Zealand government paid over three years to lure the guide this year.
Bookings went through the roof for Kiwi eateries featured in what was Oceania’s first Michelin Guide after 16 stars across 15 restaurants were handed out in June.
The SA government is confident its edition of the world-famous guide will have the same impact.
“As seen in other destinations, following recognition in the Michelin Guide, foodies from across the world flock to check out the hottest culinary destination,” Ms Bourke said.
While the SA government paid for Michelin to cover its state, inspectors decided which eateries to visit.
“The selection process is entirely independent, and restaurants cannot pay to be included or awarded distinctions,” the SA government said in a statement.
From Thursday, venues featured in the SA edition will display globally recognised Michelin Guide plaques following the mysterious selection process.
Only 161 eateries worldwide boast three, while Wednesday’s addition of Macgill Estate Restaurant now means just 550 now feature two stars.
Michelin Stars have been awarded to a wide range of eateries from street food stalls to gourmet restaurants.
Chefs from SA restaurants that receive stars will receive a special Michelin jacket.
The SA guide will also feature Bib Gourmand and Michelin Selected distinctions for venues that show high quality and value, along with awards for young chefs, service, and sommeliers.
The first Michelin Guide was published in France in 1900 by André and Édouard Michelin as a driving guide to places to stay in a bid to boost their tyre company.
